Here are eight things to know about the interesting link between the two.

People can experience psychosis during severe bipolar mood episodes of mania or depression.

(Or severely enough to warrant hospitalization.)

Heres disorder symptoms.

Psychosis can occur in both bipolar I and bipolar II.

If you have bipolar II, you only have hypomanic and depressive episodes.

you’re free to read more about the similarities and differences between the twohere.

Not everyone who has bipolar disorder experiences psychosis.

Conclusive data on how prevalent psychosis is in bipolar disorder are scarce.

And just because someone hasnt experienced psychotic symptoms during an episode before doesnt mean they never will.

Psychosis during a bipolar mood episode can look a lot like the psychotic episode of someone who has schizophrenia.

Indeed, people with bipolar disorder who experience psychosis are sometimes misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, according to theNIMH.

This is why its important to get a full medical history and observe the patient over time.

In bipolar disorder, delusions and hallucinations are often mood-congruent, meaning they reflect a manic or depressed disposition.

When someones delusions and hallucinations match their mood, their psychotic episodes are called mood-congruent, Dr. Li says.

(Researchers also included 866 people who did not experience psychosis.)

Researchers are investigating a possible genetic reason underlying the disparity.

Psychosis is treated with antipsychotics.

They work byaffecting various neurotransmittersin the brain, including dopamine.

Typical, or first-generation antipsychotics, which also reduce dopamine, are used less commonly, Dr. Malaspina says.

This is due to a difference in side effects.

The duration of treatment is highly variable depending on the patient.

And sometimes, people stay on them indefinitely as a maintenance treatment.

Other medications, like mood stabilizers, may be used as well.

Heres more information about thedifferent types of drugs used to treat bipolar disorder.

The best way to manage psychosis is to prevent as many mood episodes as possible.

It also involves checking in with a doctor often and adjusting that treatment plan as needed.